The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-08-12

looked round apprehensively like one sud-
denly awakened. Her golden curls were IN
disorder and falling over her fair forehead,
and her face was very pale and troubled, and
marked beneath the eyes with deep blue lines
Catching sight Of her visitor, she rose hnr-
riedly aud retreated Us far from him al the
pile Of sacks and potatoes would allow.
"What Is itF' she said, In low voice. ~
gave you my answer Why do you come to
torment me againr
He placed the lantern upon AL upright sack
Of mealies, and carefully balanced it before
he answered. jess could zee thu he was
taking time to consider
''Let US recapitulate." he said, at length, in
his full. rich voice. "The position Il this. ]
gave you this morning the choice between
consenting to marry me tomorrow and see
ing your old uncle and benefactor shot. Fur
ther, l assured you that II you would not
consent to marry me your uncle should be
shot, and that would then make you mine,
dispensing with the ceremony Of marriage.
Is that not soi"
Bessie made no answer, and he continued,
his eyes fixed upon her face and thoughtfully
stroking his beard
"Silence gives consent. l will go on. Be-
fore man can he shot according to law he
must be tried and condemned according to
law. Your uncle has been tried and has been
Condemned"
~ heard it all, cruel murderer that you
are" said Bessie, lifting her head for the first
time.
"Sol l thought you would, through the
crack. That is why had you put into this
place; it would not have looked well to bring
you before the court" and he. took the light
and examined the crevice. "This place is
badly built" he went on, in a careless tone:
"look, there is another space there at the
back" and he actually came up to it and held
the lantern close to it so that the light from
it shone through into Jess eyes and nearly
blinded her. She shut them quickly, SO that
the CLEAN reflected from them should not be-
tray her, and then held her breath and re-
manned as still as the dead. In another sec
ond he took away the light and replaced it on
the mealie bag.
$50 you say you saw it all. Well, it must
have shown you that was in earnest. The
old man took it well, did he not! He is Il
brave man and respect him. fancy that
he will not move a muscle at the last. That
comes of English blood, you see. 1t is the
best in the world, and am proud to have it
in my veins"
Cannot you stop torturing me and say
what you have to says" asked Bessie.
II had no wish to torture you, but if you
like will come to the point. 1t is this. VIII
you now consent to marry me tomorrow
morning at sun up, or am to be forced to
carry the sentence on your old uncle into
effects"
II will not. will not. I hate you and
defy you"
Muller looked at her coldly, and then drew
his pocketbook from his pocket and extracted
from it the death warrant and pencil.
"Look. Bessie" he said. "This is your
uncle's death warrant. At present it is value
less and informal for have not yet signed
though, as you will see, ! have been careful
that everybody else should If once l place
my signature there it cannot be revoked, and
the sentence must be carried into effect. II
you persist in your refusal will sign it be-
fore your eyes" and he placed the paper OIL
the book and took the pencil in his right
hand.
ooh, you cannot, you cannot be such a
fend," walled the wretched woman, wripging
her hands
II assure you you are mistaken. l both can
and will. I have gone, too far to turn back
for the sake Of one old Englishn Listen,
Bessie. Your lover Mel is dea that you
know"
Here Jess behind the wall felt inclined to
cry out ut is lie" but, remembering the
absolute necessity Of silence, checked herself.
"And, what is MORE" went on Muller,
''your sister Jess is dead too; she died two
days ago."
"Jess dead! Jess dead! 1t is not true.
How do you know that she is dead!"
"Never mind; will tell you when we are
married. She is dead, and except for your
uncle you are alone in the world. If you per-
sist in this he will soon be dead too, and his
blood will be upon your head, for you will
have murdered him."
"And it were to say yes, how would that
help him" she cried, wildly. "He is con-
demned by your court martial-you would
only deceive me and murder him after ALL"
"On my honor, no. Before the marriage l
will give this warrant to the pastor and he
shall burn it as soon as the service is said.
But, Bessie, don't you see that those fools who
tried your uncle are only like clay in my
hands! can bend them this way and that.
and whatever the song sing they will echo
1t. They do not wish to shoot your uncle.
and will be glad, indeed, to get out of it.
Your uncle shall 60 in safety to Natal, or
stay here if he wills. His property shall be
secured for him, and compensation paid for
the burning of his house. swear it before
God"
She looked up at him, and he could see that
she was inclined to believe him.
1T is true, Bessie, it is true--I will rebuild
the place myself, and if can find the man
who fired it he shall be shot. Come, listen to
me, and be reasonable. The man you loved
is dead, and no amount of signing can bring
him to your arms. alone am left, who
ove you better than life, better than man
yer loved "a woman before. Look at me, am
not a proper man for any maid to wed,
hough I be BALI Boer! And have the
rains, too, Bessie, the brains that shall make
IS both great. We were made for each other
Il have known it for years, and slowly,
lowly, have worked my way to you till at
ast you are in my reach" and he stretched
ut both his arms toward her.
"My darling" he went on, in a soft, half
reamy voice, my love and my desire, yield,
ow-yield! Do not force this new crime
pom me. want to grow good for your sake,
nd have done with bloodshed. When you
re my wife believe that the evil will go
ut of me, and shall grow good. Yield, and
ever shall woman have had such husband